On the day of their grand wedding, Yu Zhi opened his eyes before dawn. He parted the lotus-patterned canopy and gazed outside.
The spring clouds had dispersed, leaving a vast expanse of azure sky dotted with scattered stars stretching for miles. Faint light filtered through the window lattice, casting blurred outlines of tables and chairs.
Yu Zhi gently moved the hand encircling his waist, just touching the other’s arm when a slightly hoarse voice came from above: “Xiao Yu is leaving?”
Yu Zhi lifted his gaze. Luo Tingshi stared at him unblinkingly. He curved his lips and murmured softly, “Sleep a little longer.”
Luo Tingshi’s eyes brimmed with tenderness as he gently stroked Yu Zhi’s temple. “You must return to the palace so early, then toil all day. You’ll surely be exhausted. I should have come to you—instead, I’ve made you come to me.”
Yu Zhi disagreed. “Why must you do anything? As a man, and the ruler of a nation, it is only right that I do what I can for the one I cherish. Besides, it was my desire to see you that brought me here in the first place.”
Beloved.
Luo Tingshi’s heart melted, like a pool of thawing snowwater rippling with warmth under the spring sun.
He cherished hearing Yu Zhi express his affection.
Luo Tingshi lowered his head, pressing a tender kiss upon Yu Zhi’s eyelids.
Beneath his lips, the lower eyelid fluttered slightly. Long, thick lashes brushed against his cheek, sending a momentary tingle of ticklishness.
Luo Tingshi rose slowly, meeting a pair of round eyes brimming with affection. They curved slightly, spilling a flicker of light.
“I must depart now. We shall meet again at our wedding.”
Yu Zhi transformed back into his original form, glancing back at Luo Tingshi one last time before stepping into the dim light and leaving.
-
The palace was now bustling with activity, joy evident everywhere the eye could see.
Yu Zhi slipped quietly into the emperor’s bedchamber, pushed open a wooden window, and peered inside with a small cat’s head. The grand hall stood empty; the palace attendants dared not disturb his peaceful slumber just yet.
Yu Zhi leapt lightly from the windowsill and took a couple of steps inside before his ears suddenly twitched.
Oh no, someone’s here.
…It’s Father.
Steeling himself, Yu Zhi entered the inner chamber and, as expected, saw his father’s figure.
Father sat upon the dragon throne, watching him with a faint, ambiguous smile.
“Father…” Yu Zhi called out timidly, scurrying to Ye Jiang’s feet. He scrambled up his trouser leg, burrowing into Ye Jiang’s palm to seek affection. “Why are you here?”
Ye Jiang: “My son’s wedding has me so excited I couldn’t sleep, so I came to check on you. Little did I know I’d catch you sneaking out of the palace to meet a man. Truly, children grow up and leave their fathers behind.”
Yu Zhi rolled around in his arms, drawing out his tone: “Father—”
“Don’t get angry at the little cat.”
Ye Jiang chuckled. “Why would I be angry? Could I possibly stop you from finding a husband?”
Yu Zhi gave a soft chuckle and curled up obediently in Ye Jiang’s embrace.
Ye Jiang stroked the kitten’s head wistfully. “When you were born, you were like a little mouse—skinny as a rail, smaller than my palm. How did you grow up so fast that you’re getting married already?”
Yu Zhi gently licked Ye Jiang’s hand, silently soothing him.
Ye Jiang set Yu Zhi down and stood up. “Alright, alright. Today is your big day. You should get ready and rise. I’ll have the imperial kitchen send you something to eat. Royal ceremonies are tediously elaborate; they could starve a person to death by the end of the day.”
“I understand,” Yu Zhi nodded obediently.
Watching Ye Jiang leave the bedchamber, Yu Zhi swiftly transformed into human form and slipped into his nightgarments. Soon after, Lin Shan’s voice came from outside: “Your Majesty, we are here to assist you with your change of clothes.”
Yu Zhi called out, “Enter.”
The palace attendants filed in one by one, assisting the emperor with his change of clothes and ablutions.
-
When Yu Zhi saw Luo Ting again, it was already noon.
As both were emperors, marriage rites were not applicable, yet paying homage to the Yu Kingdom’s ancestors alone seemed insufficient. After deliberation by the officials, it was decided that the two emperors would first worship Heaven and Earth at the city’s outskirts before proceeding to the palace to perform the marriage ceremony.
The two emperors ascended their imperial carriages and proceeded slowly toward the outskirts.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, after paying homage to Heaven and Earth, they would return to the palace just as dusk fell.
Yu Zhi discreetly tugged at Luo Ting’s palm and asked, “Have you eaten since rising? We shall be at the outskirts for most of the day and won’t dine until evening.”
Luo Tingshi shook his head.
Yu Zhi glanced around, then pulled several pastries wrapped in oil paper from his sleeve and handed them to Luo Tingshi, smiling. “I thought you might not have eaten, so I brought these specially for you.”
Luo Tingshi chuckled softly, pressing down Yu Zhi’s hand as he tucked the pastries into his robe. “I’m not hungry yet. I’ll save them for later.”
Should Xiao Yu grow hungry later, they could serve as sustenance.
Luo Tingshi left the unspoken words unsaid, merely gazing at Yu Zhi with gentle eyes.
“Very well.” Yu Zhi sat up straight, his gaze fixed ahead.
It was a splendid day.
The water shimmered like indigo dye, the mountains grew clearer, a day of warm mist and verdant hues.
Bathed in this gentle sunlight, Yu Zhi gradually felt drowsy, his eyelids growing heavy.
Luo Tingshi kept his gaze fixed on Yu Zhi, noticing his weariness. He shifted closer and whispered, “Rest your head on my shoulder for a bit. We still have half an hour before we arrive.”
Having slept less than two hours the previous night, Yu Zhi was now thoroughly exhausted. He no longer resisted, tilting his head to rest on Luo Tingshi’s shoulder as his voice trailed off. “Wake me when we arrive…”
Amidst the crisp chime of the imperial carriage bells, Yu Zhi slowly closed his eyes.
Luo Tingshi gazed tenderly at the figure beside him, lifting his sleeve to block the slanting sunlight. His lips parted silently: “Sleep well.”
–
Suburban Altar.
Imperial guards encircled the site in layers upon layers. Sunlight glinted coldly off their iron armor.
Banners fluttered in the breeze as officials stood solemnly in wait.
Yu Zhi and Luo Tingshi exchanged a smile before ascending the steps hand in hand.
Midway up the steps beneath the warm spring sun, Luo Tingshi’s expression hardened. Instantly shielding Yu Zhi behind him, he scanned the surroundings warily and roared, “Who goes there!”
The words had barely left his mouth when a dozen black-clad figures flashed onto the steps. Their voices were as cold as steel: “Kill!”
A cold gleam flashed as a blade swung toward them.
Luo Tingshi gripped Yu Zhi tightly, lunging sideways to meet the blade. His fingers clawed around the attacker’s wrist. With a sharp crack, the man’s wrist bones shattered, and the long sword clattered to the ground.
Luo Tingshi hooked his fingers around the hilt, effortlessly seizing the weapon.
Everything happened in an instant. Before the others could react, Luo Tingshi had closed the distance and swung his blade down.
Luo Tingshi hooked the blade, effortlessly seizing the weapon.
All unfolded in an instant. Before the others could react, Luo Tingshi closed in on them, swinging his blade down.
“Protect the master! Protect the master!” Guards below rushed up the steps to confront the attackers.
The black-clad men were no match for Luo Tingshi. He moved through them as if they weren’t there, taking a moment to reassure Yu Zhi behind him: “Close your eyes. It won’t be long now.”
The clang of weapons echoed around them. Yu Zhi obediently closed his eyes, held tightly by a broad, warm palm. Heat swirled between their clasped hands.
With Luo Tingshi by his side, he felt he had nothing to fear.
Yu Zhi followed Luo Tingshi’s lead with renewed confidence. Amidst the cacophony of battle, a familiar meow suddenly pierced the air.
His expression darkened instantly. Opening his eyes, he locked gazes with a black-clad figure, who was twisting a small white cat’s neck with a savage grin. “Little Emperor,” the man sneered, “look what we found.”
Yu Zhi’s eyes widened in fury: “Tuantuan!”
He lunged forward regardless, but the person beside him yanked his arm back, snapping, “I’ll handle this!”
The kitten’s slender neck was being squeezed so tightly it had lost all strength to struggle, its tail hanging limply straight down.
Tears streamed from Yu Zhi’s eyes. “Tuantuan…”
“Looking for death!” Luo Tingshi’s voice was as cold as ice. He plucked a green leaf and flicked it straight toward the man’s throat.
The black-clad figure sneered, reaching up to remove the leaf stuck to his neck. Instead, his fingers touched something slimy and damp. He looked down to find his hands covered in crimson blood.
“Hah…” He couldn’t even utter the word “blood,” his body going limp as he collapsed with a thud.
Luo Tingshi leapt forward, catching the falling kitten.
The terrified kitten let out a hoarse, piercing cry. Yu Zhi’s heart shattered at the sound. He hurried to Luo Tingshi’s side, snatched the kitten into his arms, and held it tightly, his voice trembling. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. It’s okay now.”
“Meow…” Still shaken, the kitten clung tightly to Yu Zhi’s chest, mewing repeatedly.
Luo Tingshi wrapped his arm around Yu Zhi’s waist, guiding him to a shaded spot nearby. He sat them down, then opened his arms to embrace both father and son, soothing them with gentle words.
“Luo Tingshi, Tuantuan is here, but what about Yuanyuan…” Yu Zhi realized something terrible, his heart gripped by overwhelming panic. His body stiffened as he looked at Luo Tingshi pleadingly, “She’ll be okay, right?”
A sense of foreboding rose in Luo Tingshi’s heart: “We’re going back to the palace immediately.”
Most of the black-clad assailants had been subdued by Luo Tingshi, and the remaining few met their end under the guards’ assault. Just then, a palace attendant hurriedly pushed through the crowd up the stone steps, rushing to Yu Zhi’s side, his face deathly pale. “Your Majesty, are you all right? You scared the life out of me!”
Yu Zhi recognized him—a disciple of Lin Shan. He shook his head. “I am unharmed.”
The eunuch noticed the small cat clinging tightly to Yu Zhi’s shoulder and reached out. “Your Majesty, please give the cat to me. Don’t delay your auspicious meeting with Emperor Sheng.”
Yu Zhi was eager to return to the palace, his voice slightly cold: “It is unnecessary.”
He stepped down the stairs, passing by the eunuch, when suddenly he heard Luo Ting’s horrified shriek: “Watch out!”
A flash of silver streaked toward him—a dagger hurtling straight for his chest.
Too close.
No time to dodge. Yu Zhi instinctively closed his eyes as the sound of metal piercing flesh rang in his ears. Strangely, he felt no pain whatsoever.
He opened his eyes. In the spring light, a mountain-like figure swayed precariously.
“Luo Tingshi!”
Yu Zhi’s heart shattered. Supporting Luo Tingshi’s back, he forced out the words from his throat: “How are you…”
Luo Tingshi’s face remained cold as he mustered his last ounce of strength to kick the eunuch hard in the chest. The man flew several feet away, tumbling down the steps with a gurgle and spitting out a large pool of blood.
The warm spring sun bathed Yu Zhi in its gentle rays.
Yu Zhi sat on the stone steps, holding Luo Tingshi close. His eyes were fixed on the dagger embedded in Luo Tingshi’s chest. An endless chill surged through his body, as if it were the dead of winter, a gaping hole in his heart through which cold wind whistled relentlessly.
The man in his arms lifted the corners of his lips, speaking with great effort:
“Fortunately… the ceremonial robe is black. Otherwise… it might have frightened… my little kitten.”
With that, his head tilted sideways. He closed his eyes, his arms falling limply to his sides.
Yu Zhi snapped back to reality, lifting his head to roar, “Physician! Quickly summon the physician!”